Cheryl Bowers

Cheryl Bowers, MS, PA-C, is an Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies at Alderson Broaddus University. She is a full-time faculty member and Clinical Coordinator for the Physician Assistant Studies Program. Her duties include teaching in the didactic phase of the Program and as a Clinical Coordinator during the clinical phase of the Program.

Cheryl is a 1985 graduate of Alderson Broaddus University, majoring in Medical Science, Physician Assistant Program. She completed her Master of Science at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV in 1998, majoring in Community Health Promotion. She has worked clinically as a physician assistant in Barbour and the surrounding counties specializing in Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, and is currently working in Behavioral Medicine and Women’s Health Care.

Mrs. Bowers is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), West Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants WVAPA), and the Hu C Myers Society.

Cheryl resides in Philippi with her husband, Bill and daughter, Jordan. She enjoys camping, gardening and spending time with her family.

Lynne S. Capece

Advancement Officer

Yi Charlie Chen

Professor of Biology

Dr. Yi Charlie Chen, professor of biology, has taught at Alderson Broaddus University since 2000. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Zhejiang University in China. He then received his second Master of Science degree and a Doctoral degree from Washington State University. Prior to coming to ABU, Dr. Chen worked as postdoctoral fellow at USDA and Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Chen has published over 70 different papers and book chapters in a wide range of scientific journals and books. In collaboration with professors at West Virginia University and Marshall University, Dr. Chen is currently working on molecular biology of cancer research. His research has focused on the inhibition of anti-cancer drugs, especially natural compounds, on angiogenesis: the growth of blood vessels that provide nutrients to cancer cells and are essential for tumor growth. The natural compounds Dr. Chen is currently studying include saponins, kaempferol, theaflavin, nobiletin, baicalin, baicalein, gallic acid, galangin, myricetin, and chaetoglobosin K etc. from plants and fungi. Dr. Chen is also working on nanochemopreventionusing nanoparticles as a novel approach for cancer control. His group is currently studying the use of the nanotechnology to specifically target cancer cells using natural compounds. Together with scientists in USDA, Oklahoma State University and Washington State University, Dr. Chen also worked on developing DNA markers for detecting parasitism and predation. Dr. Chen has received several major grants over one million dollars from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and WV-INBRE, National Science Foundation (NSF) and WV-EPSCoR, Washington State Fruit Tree Commission, and USDA for scientific research. One of the grant Dr. Chen received in the amount of $500,000, it is the largest grant ever awarded to Alderson Broaddus for research.

Dr. Chen has also been nominated for the West Virginia Professor of the Year Award, a statewide award that honors the best teachers in West Virginia higher education. Dr. Chen is the recipient of the Faculty of the Year Award in 2013 selected by Alderson Broaddus students. Dr. Chen was the speaker for the 2013 ABU’s Opening Convocation. He was also the featured professor in the 2013 spring issue of the Neuron: West Virginia Journal of Science and Research. Dr. Chen has been selected as the plenary speaker, keynote speaker, moderator, and session chair in different scientific conferences.

Dr. Chen is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief for a scientific journal: Journal of Nutritional Medicine and Diet Care. He also served as the Editor-in-Chief for The Open Entomology Journal between 2012-2015. He also serves as the Editorial Board Member for several scientific journals: Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research, Journal of Nutritional Medicine and Diet Care, SM Journal of Environmental Toxicology, Austin journal of cancer and clinical research, and International Archives of Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Chen also currently serves on the steering committee of West Virginia IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (WV-INBRE) and the Science Advisory Board.

Director of Development and Corporate Relations

Sobha Priyadarshini Gorugantula

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Sobha Priyadarshini Gorugantula was born and raised in Visakhapatnam, an age-old port city located on the east coast of India. She received her B.Sc degree in Chemistry at St. Joseph’s College, an affiliated campus of Andhra University in India and subsequently, her M.Sc degree in Organic Chemistry at Andhra University. After a brief teaching career in India, Dr. Gorugantula came to West Virginia University to pursue her doctoral studies in Organic and Organometallic Chemistry. She eventually earned her PhD in 2009 and has been teaching at Alderson Broaddus ever since.

Courses offered by Dr. Gorugantula encompass General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical and Instrumental Chemistry. With her doctoral thesis concentrated on palladium catalysed hetero-annulation reactions, it comes as no surprise that Dr. Gorugantula’s interest resides in transition metal mediated catalytic reactions and synthetic organic chemistry. In addition to teaching, Dr. Gorugantula serves as the advisor to the Student Government Association of Alderson Broaddus.

Mr. Hall is a Tenor/Countertenor with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alderson Broaddus University in Music Education and a Master of Arts degree from Texas Woman’s University in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance. Mr. Hall did his graduate studies with renowned vocal pedagogue Joan Wall, and worked for Pst . . Inc. publishers on the Singers Edition Operatic Anthology, Diction for Singers textbook, and The Performer Prepares 100% Commitment videotape.

While in Texas, Mr. Hall was a regular soloist with the Denton Bach Society, the Denton Light Opera Company, the Chamber Symphony of the Metrocrest, and many local churches in the Dallas area.

Mr. Hall has presented master classes, guest recitals, and served as guest conductor for many institutions including Frostburg State University in Maryland, Denton Independent School District, Texas Music Educators Association-Region V, Barbour County All-County Chorus, and the Barbour County Arts and Humanities Council. In Texas, Mr. Hall spent seven years as Choral Director and Chairman of the Fine Arts Department at Lake Dallas High School and Middle School and Director of Music at Lake Cities United Methodist Church. He has recorded, with Helm Publishing; a compact disc recording entitled “Holiday Songs for the Soul.”

Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

Molly Henderson

Director of Admissions

College/University Attended and year graduated:
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg – 2008

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts – Anthropology-Archaeology

My favorite thing about ABU is:
How easy it is to communicate with faculty and staff, ABU is a welcoming environment for students, staff and faculty.

My favorite spot on campus is:
Pickett Library

My best piece of advice to a student in the college search process is:
Make a pros and cons list when visiting and looking at schools. You need to attend a college or university that is a good fit for you; the best way to make those decisions is to visit multiple campuses.

Ronda Howell

Staff Accountant

Saundra Hoxie

Registrar, Assistant Librarian

Saundra Hoxie has been the Registrar of Alderson Broaddus since 1997. Saundra graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and in 1980 with a Master of Library Science degree. In 1990 Saundra and her husband David moved to Philippi when he accepted the position of Director of Library Services. Prior to being appointed as Registrar, Saundra served as AB’s assistant librarian.

As Registrar, Saundra has helped assist the work of many administrative bodies and committees. She views the position of Registrar as not only the chief custodian of the University’s academic records but also as a facilitator helping faculty, the administration and especially students achieve their goals. In 2014 Saundra was the recipient of an Alderson Broaddus University honorary Doctor in Education degree.

Saundra has six adult children (including two AB graduates) and is the grandmother of seven.

David Hoxie

Director of Library Services

David Hoxie

Director of Library Services

Valarie Huffman

Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Bands

Dr. Valarie Huffman, Assistant Professor of Music, joins the faculty of Alderson Broaddus University in the Fall of 2016 where she will conduct the Symphonic Band, Brass Choir and teaching courses in conducting, studio brass, music education and music history. During the 2015 year she taught as an Adjunct Professor at Alderson Broaddus and conducted the Symphonic Band. Prior to her joining the faculty at Alderson Broaddus, Dr. Huffman was Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Fairmont State University from 2003-2015. Other positions that Dr. Huffman has held include positions with Kansas City, Kansas Community College, and Ponca City, Oklahoma. At Ponca City, the ensembles Dr. Huffman worked with appeared in concert for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association and appeared at the 2001 Inaugural parade for President George W. Bush.

A native of Morgantown, West Virginia, Dr. Huffman is a graduate of Morgantown High School, Fairmont State College (B.A. Music Education, 1995), Ohio University in Athens (M.M. Conducting and Music Education, 1998), and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting (2003). While at UMKC, Dr. Huffman served as the conductor for the Kansas City Youth Wind Ensemble, as well as an associate conductor for the Conservatory Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble.

Dr. Huffman is an active member of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Honorary, and Kappa Kappa Psi Band Honorary.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

Kayla McKinney

Assistant Professor of English

Kayla McKinney’s areas of interest include the relationship between museums, natural history, and Victorian literature, and popular culture. She has published work on the literature related to British taxidermy, the influence of the natural history museum on the writings of Charles Dickens, and the music of the rock band Rush. She teaches a wide range of courses in composition and literature.

Mr. Thomas Moore, MS, MMSc, PA-C, is the Dean, and Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, College of Physician Assistant Studies, and Alderson Broaddus University. Mr. Moore is a graduate from the AB University PA Program with a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies, and a Master of Medical Science degree in Surgery. He also completed the West Virginia University School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Certificate Program in 2010.

Mr. Moore’s areas of practice include Surgical Critical Care and Cardiothoracic Surgery. He is NCCPA certified and a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians, and American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Quentin J. Murphy

College/University Attended and year graduated:
Glenville State College
Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts – 2016

My favorite thing about AB is:
The small town atmosphere that the campus provides truly makes it feel like family.

My favorite spot on campus is:
Multi Sports Complex/ Coliseum

My best piece of advice to a student in the college search process is:
Don’t be afraid to connect with us and ask questions, we are here to make your experience as a college student be as comfortable as possible.

International Admissions Coordinator

My favorite thing about ABU is:
Everybody here is so friendly and ready to help.

My favorite spot on campus is:
The Quad between Burbick Hall and the Hamer Student Center. It’s always full of students either rushing on their way or having fun with all sorts of activities.

My best piece of advice to a student in the college search process is:
My job is to help International Students get through the maze of regulations and feel comfortable at a school sometimes half way around the world. My advice is for International Students to decide early and get documents completed several months before your embassy appointment.

My favorite meal in the dining hall is:
The salad bar is always fresh and nutritious…but I like the pizza, too.

James Owston

Assistant Provost for Extended Learning, Dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Professor of Mass Communication

James Owston

Assistant Provost for Extended Learning, Dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Professor of Mass Communication

Jeff Rogers

Controller

Emily Hypes Rosier

Assistant Registrar

Emily Hypes Rosier received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Arts from Alderson Broaddus in 2005. That same year, she married her college sweetheart, Joshua Rosier, also an AB Alumnus. They now have two children, Noah and Willow. She started at AB in June 2007 working part time in the Advancement Office as Music Schedule Coordinator and part time in the Registrar’s Office as Administrative Assistant to the Registrar. In fall 2012, she moved to full time in the Registrar’s Office as Assistant Registrar.

“My favorite thing about AB is the people and the community. Although there are a lot of things that have changed since my time as a student, it still feels like home.”

Administrative Assistant, Colleges of Humanities & Social Sciences and Business

Atef Shalan

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Atef Shalan is an assistant professor at the College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STM). Dr. Shalan has received his PhD in Computer Science from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, where he belonged to the Queen’s Reliable Software Technology (QRST) research group and Software Engineering Research Lab (SERL). He has obtained his MSc degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Lakehead University, Thunder bay, Ontario, Canada. Prior to joining Alderson Broaddus University in 2015, Dr. Shalan served as a visiting assistant professor at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and as an assistant professor at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The research of Dr. Shalan sprawls across a number of software engineering areas including system dependability, methods and tools for reliable software, architectural representations and control flow monitoring, error detection and failure prediction, and autonomic software systems. His research activities include conference chairing, program committee, invited talks, session chairing, and peer reviewing. Frequently, he provides professional services for several software research venues such as EWAD, SERE, DSN, SPE, QSIC, TDSE, and ACM SAC. Dr. Shalan is also a senior member of the IEEE and a member of the ACM. Throughout his years of industrial experience in the field of software engineering and information technology, Dr. Shalan has served in a number of national and international organizations including software manufacturers, consulting firms, and business organizations. His professional accomplishments have spanned software design and development, business process analysis and implementation, and project planning and management. His successful software projects involved small to large systems and spread across multiple business areas including manufacturing, distribution, accounting, and real estate management. For latest information about Dr. Shalan’s teaching and research activities click here.

Assistant Professor of English

Jacob Steele

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Jacob Steele has a Master of Computer Science Degree from the University of Virginia and is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science in the College of Science, Technology and Mathematics at Alderson Broaddus University. His research has focused on a wide variety of work including: Digital Watermarking and Cloud Computing for E-Science Application. Mr. Steele’s primary focus is early computer science education. Topics of interest and focus include: Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms, Java Development, Object Oriented Programming, Functional Programming, and Cloud/Distributed Computing. Mr. Steele’s teaching philosophy is “work hard, play hard” and his classes enjoy a fun, low-risk learning environment mixed with substantial rigor.

Matthew J. Swallow

Adjunct Professor/Lecturer in Music

Matthew James Swallow is a saxophonist, music educator, and new music enthusiast from Western Pennsylvania. He has earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Saxophone Performance (Magna Cum Laude) from Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania and Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from Miami University, Ohio. Currently, Swallow is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at West Virginia University studying with Michael Ibrahim. His previous teachers include: Jeremy Long, Terry Steele, Chris Hemmingway, and Varden Armstrong.